‘That’ Person

[Gyakuto]

I think it's important not to think of yourself as something other than "these people".

I am ‘that’ person when it comes to say dancing, office administration, athletics; I’m useless at them. You are also ‘that’ person in many fields.

For example you appear to be into Japanese swords.

Just a little bit, really. I don’t lick them or touch them inappropriately or anything.

Can you provide some examples of your expertise in Japanese swords?

No - I am far from an expert. The only objective measures of anything are probably examination/grading/Olympic gold medals (the others don’t count -they for the first and second losers) results administered by a well-organised governing body. This is why we have degrees, masters and Ph.Ds, City & Guilds in plumbing (I’d love to be a plumber), building, plastering etc. I know not of such a structure for learning about swords (unfortunately)

Subjectively, one can usually spot expertise in a performance; you can spot an accomplished acting performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford -upon-Avon (my old haunt) over a poor one in the ‘Pirates of Penzance’ at Holmfirth Village Hall. You can look at a good and poor dancing performance without being able to specify beyond the very basics, why one is good and why one is bad. It is not logical, but it is often true.

 

[Badhabits]

I can't count how many times I heard my father say that the people with little natural talent benefit the most from training if they stick with it.

 

[wab25]

I ended up thinking about this thread last night on my way home from the dojo. A few interesting thoughts came to me regarding this subject.

I have now had 2 girls, who are my students, get physically assaulted. One was out at a bar, the other was in her own front yard. Both of these students would fall under your definition of "that student." They are a little clumsy, take a while to pick up the techniques... they will never win a championship, an Olympic medal or become recognized masters of our art. However, both were able to use what they learned in class to end the assault. One was able to break free and escape, the other put her attacker down. Thinking about this thread last night, these incidents popped into my mind and I was grateful that I did not take the suggested course of action with these two.

I have had a few gifted students, but most of my students are "those students." While they are not gifted, some are not even athletic, we show up and train and get a little better. Nearly every single student I have had, has at least one story of taking a fall, in the real world, but because of the rolling / falling training we do in Danzan Ryu, they were able to get up and laugh about it, when many of those times they could have ended up in the hospital. Again, I am glad we spent the time to teach these folks how to fall and not get hurt.... because they did fall and did not get hurt. (most of us clumsy folks have many such stories.... I know I do)

If people want to come and train... they should be welcome to come and train. You never know what will come of it.

 

[Gyakuto]

I can't count how many times I heard my father say that the people with little natural talent benefit the most from training if they stick with it.

Oh you should give him a copy of Bounce/Peak. They are truly fascinating reads and really fit in with the ‘American dream’ that hard work can get you anywhere.